Kidsylvania: The Alleghenies

The Alleghenies Hit the road for family adventure.

Duration: Three days and two nights

Looking for a blend of history and family time that will have you traveling across beautiful valleys, stopping atop awe-inspiring inclines and being guided through local history? This three-day, two-night roadtrip through The Alleghenies has you covered. With hands-on exhibits and museums, amusement parks, arts & crafts and the world's oldest rollercoaster, the kids will be beyond excited. But that's not all. Beyond the various kid-oriented activities, the entire family will get a glimpse into history as they learn how floods shaped the Johnstown area, how resilience and ingenuity defined Johnstown's residents and what historic significance nearby Fort Bedford holds. So set your GPS for fun and head for The Alleghenies.

Hands-on exhibits are on today's docket at the Johnstown Children's Museum. Located in the Heritage Discovery Center in downtown Johnstown, the Museum encourages children to learn about Johnstown's geography, history, culture and more. Take a trip through time with the Johnstown Timewarp,... Read More >

Downstairs from the Children's Museum you'll be transported to the late 19th century, as a series of interactive exhibits tells the story of the influx of immigrants to the Johnstown community. Throughout the audiot tour and video experience, your children will learn what it was like coming to a... Read More >

A few minutes away, our next stop offers a unique perspective into life in the Valley. Built after the Johnstown flood of 1889, the Inclined Plane was designed to connect downtown Johnstown with the higher grounds of Westmont Borough. But the Incline became a lifesaver in the 1936 and 1977 floods... Read More >

While the menu features custom pizzas, salads, sandwiches and weekly specials, this restaurant features something even more special - an unrivaled view of Johnstown. Grab a quick bite, and even enjoy a view of the Inclined Plane's amazing engine room from inside the bar.

After trekking up and down Johnstown (literally), get some rest in style. The Comfort Inn features a complimentary breakfast, indoor heated pool and hot tub, and even a nearby movie theater. Be sure to get some rest though, tomorrow we're off to Altoona.

More family fun is on the agenda today as we make our way to Altoona and Lakemont Park. Home to more than 30 rides and attractions, be sure to bring your bathing suits and make a splash at Island Waterpark with its waterslides and Pirate Ship Activity Pool. Land lover? Not a problem. Lakemont... Read More >

Tucked away on Union Avenue in Altoona, the Quaint Corner Children's Museum is just that - quaint. This refurbished home hosts a world of imagination and excitement for your little ones where they can channel their inner artist, creating clay sculptures and watching in wonder as they create works... Read More >

Take a journey into history as you and your kids learn about the challenges the Pennsylvania Railroad workers faced when laying the more than 30 miles of track that make up Horseshoe Curve. They'll marvel at one of the world's most incredible engineering feats that served as a crucial lifeline... Read More >

A short car ride from Horseshoe Curve, the Slinky Action Zone has fun and games for the entire family. Bigger kids can enjoy bumper cars, arcade games, laser tag and a bounce house, while the young ones enjoy themselves in the many ball pits and tubes in the gigantic playspace. Whether you're old... Read More >

After a full day's worth of fun, a trip to the Eat n' Park only makes sense. One of the area's first drive-in restaurants with carhops, this is your chance to enjoy a piece of Americana. Along with a great meal from Eat n' Park's diverse menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner items, treat yourself and the kids to a Smiley Cookie - complete with a big frosted smile. And yes, your young ones will be smiling too after having one of these Eat n' Park classics.

More than 250 years ago, Fort Bedford stood as a key British blockade during the French and Indian War campaign against the French at Fort Duquesne. Today, it's a lifelike museum, featuring a main gallery, a transportation room, a rear gallery, mezzanine and gift shop. Tour its open spaces and... Read More >

Next on the docket is a visit to Old Bedford Village, just a few minutes north. Old Bedford Village brings you the best in living history and family fun with more than 14 time period skills, including quilting, candle making, blacksmithing, weaving and spinning. With authentic reenactors so... Read More >

Looking for even more to do while you're in town? Check out our Events calendar.

Worthy Detours

Johnstown Flood National MemorialWhen the South Fork dam failed on Firday, May 31, 1889; 20,000,000 tons of water devasted Johnstown, and 2,209 people lost their lives. Two floors of exhibits, a film on the disaster and trails leading to the remains of the dam offer an up-close lesson on the power of nature.

Johnstown Flood MuseumThis exhibit illustrates the path of the Johnstown Flood through compelling visuals, stirring audio and a thought-provoking experience for the entire family. Start your visit by watching the Academy Award winning film, "The Johnstown Flood" to learn about the devastation on that fateful day of May 31, 1889. The documentary uses photo archives and recreations of events to tell the tale. The Museum also features photographs and artifacts to help tell the story of the flood through the eyes and experiences of those who lived it.

Altoona Curve BaseballTake a moment to enjoy America's pasttime in Blair County. The Altoona Curve are the Double-A affiliate for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and play in Peoples Natural Gas Field. Friday and Saturday home games are a special treat for families all summer long as there's a different giveaway every Friday, and entertainment, giveaways or fireworks each Saturday.

Gravity HillGravity Hill is a phenomenon. Cars roll uphill and water flows the wrong way. Is it a trick with magnetics? Supernatural forces? Or something else? Stop by Gravity Hill, and watch your kids' jaws drop.